Early in the morning, Gordon Dairic of the Dark Elf clan awoke humming to himself.
"A first meeting—can't afford to leave a bad impression."
He shaved his beard and tidied his hair, finishing up with a clean, formal outfit.
When he looked into the mirror, a stylish dark elf with jet-black hair stared back at him.
"Mm. Looks good."
Today was the graduation ceremony of the 99th class of the Demon King Officer Academy.
Those who had completed their education would officially become Demon Kings and be assigned to their respective dimensions. And Gordon was one of those meant to support them—an adjutant.
"Valedictorian of the Demon Race Training School, Gordon Dairic."
If the Demon King Officer Academy trained Demon Kings, then the Demon Race Training School existed to raise the demonkind who would serve under them.
In particular, those with top grades became adjutants to Demon Kings. As the valedictorian, Gordon had been assigned to serve Berze Deias, the valedictorian of the Demon King Officer Academy.
No—he had already been assigned. He had even received Berze's profile in advance.
Great Demon Dragon lineage.
Genius who never lost first place.
Unparalleled talent.
The most outstanding student in the academy's history.
A dossier filled exclusively with praise left Gordon deeply satisfied.
It was only natural for an adjutant serving a Demon King to wish for a greater master.
In that sense, Valedictorian Berze Deias was the ideal lord, and Gordon was a dark elf blessed with extraordinary fortune.
With him, we could conquer any dimension.
As a top graduate, countless privileges would already be waiting—privileges that applied even excluding Gordon himself. If those benefits were added on top of Berze's power and their partnership, there was nothing they couldn't accomplish.
—We will now begin the graduation ceremony of the 99th class of the Demon King Officer Academy.
The auditorium Gordon entered in high spirits was already filled with demonkind of all races.
He moved toward the back of the stage alongside familiar faces.
"How was it?"
"The Demon King you'll be serving?"
"He wasn't bad. Cold, charismatic—like the textbook image of a great Demon King."
Future adjutants chatted quietly about their soon-to-be lords.
Who was assigned to whom, how each Demon King seemed—trivial conversations.
Naturally, the most attention and envy gathered around Gordon.
"I saw Lord Berze earlier. A valedictorian really is different. He stood out."
"I felt the same. There was something untouchable about him. Felt like you could do anything with him."
"He's from the Demon Dragon clan, right? Definitely on another level."
Gordon's shoulders rose unconsciously at the praise.
No adjutant disliked hearing praise for their lord. He felt grateful to be graduating alongside Berze Deias.
While they talked, the ceremony neared its end.
Finally came the chairman's badge ceremony, and Berze Deias stepped onto the podium.
"Impressive."
A height of around 190 centimeters. A powerful build. A natural pressure that radiated authority.
Truly the dignity of a valedictorian.
From today on, the one I will serve. The one who will write legends.
Gordon's chest swelled with anticipation.
He imagined conquering countless dimensions together and engraving their names into history.
—We will now begin the oath of the newly appointed Demon Kings.
—Valedictorian Berze Deias will recite on behalf of the graduates.
Everything was fine.
Up until the moment he was supposed to swear to uphold the Proper Way of the Demon King.
—Berze Deias?
—Please begin the recitation of the great Demon King's Proper Way.
Even when Berze hesitated instead of reading it, Gordon didn't find it strange.
He had been described as someone who followed the Proper Way more faithfully than anyone—so Gordon assumed it was simply a moment of reflection.
Never did he imagine—
"I refuse."
—that he would utter such blasphemy.
"I cannot make such a moronic oath. Upholding the Demon King's Proper Way is no different from carrying a hatchling's corpse into a dragon's lair—an utterly foolish and idiotic act. That Proper Way is trash!"
Not even in his worst dreams had Gordon imagined this.
"…."
His legs gave out, and Gordon collapsed into his seat.
* * *
"So that's the lunatic?"
"To dare insult the Proper Way—he deserves to die."
"And the one next to him? There's really an idiot who matches a lunatic?"
"I heard he's the lunatic's adjutant. Assignment's already finalized—can't be withdrawn."
"Poor bastard. How did he end up with someone like that…"
"Tch. Such a waste. A valedictorian talent rotting under a madman."
Amid the murmurs around him, Gordon closed his eyes. Tears welled up at the sheer misery of his situation.
Meanwhile, Berze—sitting in front of him—showed not the slightest sign of agitation and casually extended his hand.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Berze Deias."
"…."
Gordon stared silently at the hand.
He didn't want to take it.
But in the end, he had no choice.
Crazy bastard. Son of a bitch. Someone who should be torn apart on the spot.
After Berze Deias's bombshell declaration, Gordon fully grasped how much the situation had changed.
The malicious rumors he already heard were only the beginning.
—What? The doctrine established by the First Demon Emperor and practiced countless times is trash?
—Carrying a hatchling's corpse into a dragon's lair?
—So he was valedictorian? He's completely lost his mind.
—That lunatic was top of the class? What the hell are they teaching at the academy?!
Demonkind was furious.
The Proper Way of the Demon King was the First Demon Emperor's legacy—the doctrine that unified a chaotic Demon Realm and allowed it to project power outward.
To demonkind, it was faith.
An inviolable domain.
And Berze had trampled it.
—Investigate whether his academic evaluations were manipulated!
—A piece of trash that defames the Proper Way has no right to be a Demon King!
—Strip him of his title and send him to the Golan mines!
Protests erupted.
And because the protesters were demonkind, violence and terrorism followed naturally.
For now, it was limited to the academy—but Gordon knew it was only a matter of time before that fury turned toward Berze, and toward himself as the one who must serve him.
"…Why did you do it?"
Gordon's tone sharpened despite himself.
"What, exactly?"
"The Proper Way! The Proper Way!"
He snapped.
"If you had just quietly sworn the oath, everything would have gone perfectly! Your achievements and reputation guaranteed you the highest privileges imaginable!"
He truly could not understand.
To throw away a future of guaranteed glory with one's own mouth—how could anyone be so foolish? How could a valedictorian do this?
And worse—why insult the great Proper Way itself? How could any sane demon utter such madness?
A trace of disgust surfaced alongside Gordon's anger.
But Berze avoided the question entirely.
"You attended the Training School, right?"
"…."
Immediately after the ceremony, Gordon had gone to see the chairman of the Training School.
He begged.
Please cancel the assignment. Please don't make me Berze Deias's adjutant.
I heard the news. When I heard someone achieved the highest scores in academy history, I was full of anticipation—but to think he was such a lunatic. Makes you wonder if the professors all lost their minds.
Unfortunately, it can't be canceled. Once a bond is assigned, it must be carried to the end. That rule has existed since the First Demon Emperor.
Just because a lunatic disrespected the Proper Way doesn't mean you have to become one too.
The chairman's tongue-clicking pity and shoulder-pat still lingered vividly in Gordon's mind.
Why did I have to be valedictorian? I should've just messed up once and graduated second…
But regret, no matter how early, was already too late.
"…The privileges."
"Hm?"
"The privileges—are they still being granted?"
The benefits awarded for being valedictorian. Even that would be some consolation.
"Unfortunately, all revoked. Because he disgraced the Proper Way."
Damn it.
Of course they were.
You couldn't let a reactionary who insulted the Proper Way go unpunished. Revoking privileges was merciful compared to what he deserved.
They probably still had expectations for him—that's why he wasn't executed outright.
After all, Demon Realm justice preferred grinding people down for utility rather than killing them outright.
But why did it have to be me…
And while Gordon simmered, Berze casually extended his hand again.
"Well, it turned out like this. Let's work well together."
"…."
This time, Gordon truly couldn't bring himself to take it.
* * *
Office of Archduke Alkaine Blamiph, Demon Realm.
I answered his summons immediately.
"Sit."
Once I settled into the plush sofa, Alkaine personally poured a glass of blood-red wine. A faint metallic scent curled around my tongue.
"I don't particularly like you either. Whether it's your nature or arrogance from being top of the class—insulting the Proper Way is unforgivable. I'd prefer not to let you live."
He spoke calmly, casually delivering murderous intent.
"Is that so?"
I sipped the wine without concern.
If he truly intended to kill me, he wouldn't have called me in like this. I knew his temperament well.
"However. You're a lunatic and a contrarian—but you are still the academy's valedictorian. The masses question the evaluation, but I know the chairman well. He would never accept bribes or falsify assessments."
That was why he had served as chairman for centuries.
"Your talent is real. Even if you're a lunatic, wasting such talent would be a shame—though the other archdukes may disagree."
"…."
"So repent. Apologize, even now."
Clink.
Alkaine set his glass down.
"Kneel before the statue of the First Demon Emperor. Swear to uphold the Proper Way. Apologize again and again, begging forgiveness."
Then, within my authority, I'll minimize the harm that comes your way.
He whispered sweetly.
"But if you persist, I'll assign you to Arein—my jurisdiction."
Arein.
Among the five dimensions currently under development, it was the most difficult.
The number-one assignment all Demon Kings avoided.
The place where more Demon Kings had died than anywhere else.
"You understand what it means to go to Arein with only a single adjutant."
I did.
Even Demon Kings who went with vast retinues failed there. Going with just one adjutant was tantamount to suicide.
"Well? You still have a chance."
He smiled coldly, clearly confident I would beg for mercy.
I smiled back.
That amused me.
A normal Demon King would've bowed his head here.
But I'm not normal.
"I'll go."
"…What did you say?"
"My stance hasn't changed. I respect the First Demon Emperor—but the Proper Way is trash. Maybe it worked in the past, but now it's a stupid case of means overpowering purpose."
"You insolent—!"
Rumble—
"…So you truly need to die to come to your senses. Are you so blinded by being top of the class that you can't see straight?"
Dense killing intent made the air tremble.
I didn't blink.
"Maybe so."
I've already died once. If anything, dying once is what made me sane.
"So instead of apologizing, I'll just go to Arein."
The most avoided assignment.
The dimension that devoured the most Demon Kings.
If anything—
That's perfect.
Because that's where the trash who mocked and toyed with me live.
My original assignment.
Wait for me, you hero bastards.
This time, I'll tear your throats out with my own claws.